Literary Analysis Essay An analysis essay examines “moves” or techniques an author is using AND the effect they are having on the reader. Essays will be graded according to the AP grading scale This essay’s 9 is the next round’s 7 (Grading will progress as writing progresses)

Analysis Essays are: What you will be writing as your Columnist Project Found on the AP Exam Successful findings of your Critical Reading/Annotating/ SPAM-ing work Thinking beyond what is simply on the page.

You may use keystone/any notes (including notes you take today!) Follow the steps: 1) Read and mark up 2) Put purpose in your own words 3) Determine at least 3 “moves” you have evidence for 4) Write a thesis sentence

Beginning the essay: Preface your thesis briefly with a grabber: a startling, noteworthy observation (avoid stating the obvious) or strong assertion.

The Thesis Sentence… Should preview your three chosen rhetorical moves Each move that is general (diction, syntax, tone, imagery) demands an adjective That adjective can be descriptive (euphonious diction) or evaluative (formal diction)

Literary Analysis Essay Thesis sentence should be periodic – end with a strongly worded assertion. “Hawthorne uses complex vocabulary and euphonious diction to emphasize Dimmesdale’s anxious, questioning of himself and tense, negative similes to emphasize Chillingworth’s eerie, watchful prowess.” (hr.1)

Follow the TIQA model for body paragraphs… Topic sentence/Transition Sentence Introduce quote: put the quote into context. Quote: provide your quote Analyze: explain to the reader the importance of the quote and how it supports your topic sentence.

TIQA: Your body paragraphs should provide a topic sentence. The rest of the paragraph should provide context for a quote or a paraphrased example. Then you should provide that example. After you provide that example, you should explain how it supports your thesis statement. DO NOT merely tell your reader what the quote means; this can lead to summary. You need to analyze.

Evidence for rhetorical moves… You should have at least two pieces of evidence for each move you cite You can employ that evidence as a quote or paraphrasing Never copy a quote that goes longer than two written lines

AVOID chronological analysis : that is, analyzing the text’s first paragraph, then the second, third, etc. INSTEAD, organize your analysis around the rhetorical moves that may take place anywhere in the text.

Example TIQA Body Paragraph (T) Emerson uses multiple metaphors to compare society to a fountain of power which has become nothing more than spilt drops of water—making clear his views on the negative effects of job specialization on society. (I) He compares the members in society to (Q) “walking monsters”— individual body parts trying to function on their own, but never succeeding.

Example TIQA Body Paragraph (A) Through these metaphors, Emerson is telling all people who call themselves scholars that in order to become real men—real human beings—they need to confirm their existence through action. In other words, they need to take an idea from its initial form as a mere abstraction and turn it into something real and concrete. In doing so, these scholars have proven themselves to be complete men, adept at investigating, understanding, studying, and acting.

Try to blend quotes in with your context, by having quotes and context share sentences. For example: Not blended: Janie’s images for romantic happiness come from nature. “Life should be more like a pear tree in bloom, she thinks.” (line 67) She thinks this when she is unhappy in her relationships. Blended: Because Janie’s image for romantic happiness comes from nature, she thinks, “Life should be more like a pear tree in bloom" when she is unhappy in her relationship (line 67).

The author’s PURPOSE should be singular to the text: avoid using “to make his point clear” or “to convince the reader” or “to paint a picture in the reader’s mind” as purpose statements. These are obvious intentions of any author and do not demonstrate that you understand the text.

Conclusion: Do not summarize your thesis. Conclusions can help if you can make a point about the significance or consequences of what the author is writing about. Any conclusion should be “transcendent” in language… (flag raising, national anthem playing, fireworks blasting…)

Our First Analysis - Friday You will have 45 minutes to write in class. Between now and Friday, use your novel and bookmarking skills to prepare for your analysis. This first writing will focus on moves Hawthorne uses to introduce and develop characters.

Friday continued… Look for description, dialogue, thoughts, character’s reaction, etc. used to introduce this character. Find the moves or techniques Hawthorne employs. Think about how this shapes the readers’ view of the character. Share your characterization analysis thus far with a partner in class today I will pick up your characterization assignment at the end of class!